Phase space transport in a symmetric Caldera potential with three index-1 saddles and no minima

TL;DR

This paper uses Lagrangian Descriptors to analyze phase space transport in a symmetric Caldera potential with three saddles and no minima, revealing mechanisms behind dynamical matching phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of Lagrangian Descriptors to a Caldera potential with multiple saddles and no minima, elucidating phase space transport mechanisms.

Findings

Identifies phase space transport pathways in the Caldera potential.

Explains conditions for the occurrence of dynamical matching.

Provides insights into the role of saddles in phase space dynamics.

Abstract

We apply the method of Lagrangian Descriptors (LDs) to a symmetric Caldera-type potential energy surface which has three index-1 saddles surrounding a relatively flat region that contains no minimum. Using this method we show the phase space transport mechanism that is responsible for the existence and non-existence of the phenomenon of dynamical matching for this form of Caldera potential energy surface.